KEY SCRIPTURE: John 16:31 KJV Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

After the disciples had expressed their understanding and appreciation for all that the Lord Jesus had been telling them lately, the Lord also asked them, Do you now believe? These men had been with Jesus and seen all the magnificent miracles, yet they had doubts in their minds. There are many professing believers, yet in the event of certain oppositions, they tend to express doubt. The Lord added in the following verse, Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”

The Lord meant in the above verse that these men would be leaving Him. Why would they leave Him to His fate at the last moment? These men had an understanding about who Jesus was yet they could not keep faith with Him at the trying moments. What kind of believer are you? Are you very energetic when everything is fine but start complaining when the situation is adverse? They had come to a clear understanding of who Jesus was, yet they had not taken a decision to stand for Him till the end. Believing is an act of a person’s will.

We believe with our hearts and not with our minds. The mind can easily accept a thing or believe something, yet it will not commit the whole being to it. This is called mental assent. This is where many are deceived into thinking they believe yet nothing changes about them. True faith is never afraid to commit. True faith is seen in positive action, showing absolute reliance on what God has said. Truly, believing is an individual act. No one believes for another in certain matters. As the disciples had to stand for the master individually when He was attacked. No one could act for his neighbour in that very hour. Ask the Lord for the inner strength to fully trust Him, in all situations.

THOUGHT: FAITH IS NEVER FROM THE MIND, BUT A DECISION OF THE HEART

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 10:10 KJV” For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Matt 14:29 KJV” And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”